Tactical sailing

Tactical sailing executes your strategy

You should determine your Strategy (game plan) before the race begins to provide focus. During the race, tactical sailing is used to execute this game plan. Your strategy might change depending on what you discover during the race, but tactical sailing continues to be the tool you use to execute it.

The principles of tactical sailing

Don’t screw up

Go the right places

Get there as fast as you can

Have good tools and reliable readings to help you do that

Knowing how fast to go where you want gives you a BIG lever. Polars are the first tool.

Tactical areas

The start, including your ability to go where you want without hindrance from the fleet (see Starting Line).

Relative position – where your particular enemy is and avoiding situations where you’re forced somewhere you don’t want to go.